Minister Yerlikaya announces the number of foreigners in Turkey

The "International Consultation Conference on Migration and Human Rights in Light of the European Court of Human Rights and Constitutional Court Decisions," organized by the Constitutional Court and the Ministry of Interior, was held at the Presidential Dolmabahçe Work Office.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya stated that Turkey extends a helping hand to the oppressed who flee wars and conflicts and are in need of aid and support, adding, "We manage migration with an understanding that prioritizes human life, but never compromises on our public order and public security."

Yerlikaya shared the following information:

"Our country, which is a party to all fundamental international human rights conventions, as of October 4, 2024, is hosting 1 million 45 thousand 722 foreigners with residence permits, as well as 3 million 89 thousand 904 Syrians under temporary protection and 213 thousand 169 foreigners with international protection."

'FIGHTING IRREGULAR MIGRATION IS AMONG THE MAJOR ISSUES WORLDWIDE'

Minister Yerlikaya stated that one of the most critical regulations brought by Law No. 6458 is found in Article 4, which forms the basis for the implementation of the entire law, saying, "According to this article, no one can be subjected to torture, or inhuman or degrading punishment or treatment. No one can be sent to a place where their life or freedom would be threatened due to their race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinions. The 'automatic suspensive' effect, which is among the ECHR case law, also constitutes one of the fundamental innovations of our laws."

Stating that the fight against irregular migration is among the major issues worldwide, Yerlikaya said:

"As in all areas of migration management, we take law, human rights, and our civilizational values as a reference in the fight against irregular migration and migrant smuggling, and in all deportation processes. Our country has a deportation mechanism carried out on the basis of respect for human rights. All removal centers are operated by our presidency with the principle of 'zero tolerance for ill-treatment.' Removal centers are inspected, both with and without notice, by institutions included in the international conventions to which we are a party and in our domestic law."

YİMER HAS RECEIVED OVER 20 MILLION CALLS

Yerlikaya said that Mobile Migration Point vehicles were also implemented as a result of their efforts carried out on the basis of civilizational values, human rights, and law within the scope of the fight against irregular migration.

Recalling that he served as governor in Istanbul for nearly 5 years, Yerlikaya noted that they have performed 1 million 678 thousand identity checks with the 270 Mobile Migration Point vehicles they put into service to fight irregular migration, and identified 142 thousand irregular migrants and sent them to removal centers.

Noting that one of the applications that best explains their approach and activities regarding human rights is the YİMER 157 Call Center, Yerlikaya said, "The YİMER 157 Call Center, which is an emergency aid and reporting line established within our Presidency of Migration Management, has received more than 20 million calls so far. Providing 24/7 service in 5 languages, YİMER meticulously evaluates all kinds of information requests and aid reports from foreigners, and enables us to intervene quickly in incidents. YİMER 157 has saved the lives of more than 15 thousand people in coordination with law enforcement agencies."

News Source: 12punto